Sevan Denies; Punishment May Be Tough

But Annan's new chief of staff, Mark Malloch Brown, acknowledged that the punishment applicable to Sevan, who is all but retired, was limited. The U.N. retains Sevan on a $1-a-year salary to make him available to investigators; that dollar also buys him diplomatic immunity.

On Thursday, Sevan's lawyer issued a lengthy denial.

"It is unfortunate that the [panel] has succumbed to massive political pressure and now seeks to scapegoat [Mr. Sevan] for problems within the oil-for-food program," the statement said. "Mr. Sevan never took a penny."

"Thank you for the "Voice of the Victims films. The students really liked them, and it means so much to them to hear real stories and not watch a cheesy drama like so many other videos."
— High school teacher.